LIBERATED
Today, we take a moment and reflect on a rather serious matter inside the Church. Today, we discuss leaders inside the churches that are planting ideas and theories which are not found in the Bible. In fact, these leaders are causing born-again believers to stumble and follow their heretical teachings. Paul described these men to a letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-3 “1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
What I say next will inherently make some readers upset. Neverthelesss, we must confront a glaring issue. When we examine Calvinism and Arminianism, can we find at their source, born-again believers? Today, I will not take on this challenge of examining the sources. But I will say, born-again believers should be examining who they listen to and follow to see if they are actually born again. There are many pastors today and even some from years ago, that I seriously question. In the end, we need to not only know God’s word but be able to understand its context and use it accordingly. It is like owning a sword and being able to identify a sword, but can you pick the sword up and use it? Can you properly use it as it was designed to be used? For the nonbeliever, the answer is no. You will see them swing the sword; they might even hack in such a manner to make the untrained eye believe they can wield such a weapon. However, only someone who has the capacity to use it according to its proper purpose can. The same goes with God’s Word. Only born-again believers can, and anyone else is just pretending. Spiritually young in the faith believers might be fooled, but as they continue in their walk and grow in the Lord, they will see that the fakers are inherently and overwhelmingly obvious. This is why spiritually mature believers do not stay long around those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
So, as we continue in our short study, remember to recognize that God’s Word is only properly used byborn-again believers. And if there is a radically divisive teaching, examine the source and see if they are saved. The Church did not do this at key moments, and now we are plagued with heretical groups and ideas that are not found in the Bible. Two examples, Replacement Theology and the Post Rapture hypothesis. Both are easily thrown out by mature believers in God’s Word, but both are rooted in nonbelievers acting as believers. Next week, we will review our final post on the topic.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming
JL